Invasive Species

Jumping worms live in the top 3-4 inches of the soil where they eat up the nutrients and change the structure of the soil, making it harder for the soil to hold water and for plants to take root.

What thrashes, poops out taco meat and is taking over the Midwest? Jumping worms

Eva Tesfaye

An invasive species of worm is making its way across the Midwest, but not much is known about how to manage them. Some gardeners have taken matters into their own hands.

A bee pollinates native flowers on Preston Chapman's family farm's right-of-way.

Health, Science & Environment

How utility rights-of-ways became a key habitat for native plants

Kayla Drake

Ameren owns thousands of acres in Illinois rights-of-way — land that biologists say they can be used to create habitats for threatened pollinators.

Feral hogs can be captured in traps like this one. Trapping has been the most common tool Mark Twain National Forest staff have used to eliminate more than 6,000 wild pigs in the past two years.

Health, Science & Environment

Traps, Drones And Sharpshooters. Here’s How Missouri ‘Turned The Corner’ On Controlling Feral Hogs

Jonathan Ahl

Hunters and trappers believe they are close to having the nuisance animals under control in southern Missouri.

Around 40 goats have spent a week eating through non-native vegetation in Webster Groves.

Goats Munch Their Way Through Invasive Plants In Webster Groves

Wayne Pratt

Webster Groves is wrapping up a pilot project to see if goats are an option to help eliminate invasive plants throughout the city.

Two goats grazing in a field in the Mark Twain Nation Forest as part of an effort to control invasive vegetation.

Health, Science & Environment

Mark Twain National Forest Turns To Goats To Manage Invasive Plants

Jonathan Ahl

Goats are cleaner, cheaper and more efficient than mowers and herbicides, and they may see more use in national forests.

Matthew Albrecht (at front), associate scientist at the Garden's Center for Conservation and Sustainable Development, and volunteer Eva Adams help during a honeysuckle sweep workday at Shaw Nature Reserve in 2018.

Health, Science & Environment

How Missourians Can Combat Honeysuckle And Other Invasive Plants

Lara Hamdan

Bush honeysuckle isn't native to Missouri, but the species is flourishing in the state. The infestation has impacted the diversity and abundance of native…

"We're not saying this is an excellent outcome for the status or the persistence of this native mosquito," said Tyson Research Center director Kim Medley.

Health, Science & Environment

How A Native Mosquito Benefits From An Invasive Interloper

Shahla Farzan

As you’re swatting at swarms of mosquitoes this spring, take comfort in this fact: Our bloodsucking foes have their own parasites.The tiny waterborne…

UMSL plans to remove bush honeysuckle, pictured here, from seven acres on campus.

Health, Science & Environment

UMSL Aims To Root Out Invasive Honeysuckle On Campus

Shahla Farzan

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is embarking on a long-term effort to remove invasive plants from forested areas on campus.The university received…

Health, Science & Environment

Missouri steps up effort to control feral pigs

Sarah Fentem

No one knows exactly how many feral hogs are in Missouri.But the Missouri Department of Conservation has eliminated 7,300 so far this year.The pigs aren’t…

The emerald ash borer was first detected in Missouri in 2008. Since then, it has spread to 53 counties.

Health, Science & Environment

Emerald ash borer found in 11 additional Missouri counties

Shahla Farzan

An invasive beetle is spreading rapidly across the state.This week, the Missouri Department of Conservation reported the emerald ash borer appeared in 11…